Spa: BMW Motorsport preview

Battle for WTCC title continues as second half of the season starts in
Spa.
Munich, 25th July 2005. After its Mexican adventure, the FIA
World Touring Car Championship 2005 (WTCC) returns to Europe this
weekend. Against the backdrop of the 24...

Battle for WTCC title continues as second half of the season starts in
Spa.

Munich, 25th July 2005. After its Mexican adventure, the FIA
World Touring Car Championship 2005 (WTCC) returns to Europe this
weekend. Against the backdrop of the 24 Hour Race on the Circuit
Spa-Francorchamps, rounds eleven and twelve of the championship will
be held on Saturday. After the recent races in Puebla which saw only
Antonio Garcia (ESP) of BMW Team Italy-Spain and BMW Team UK driver Andy
Priaulx (GBR) picking up championship points, the yield for the BMW
national teams is expected to be bigger once again in Belgium.

The 6.976-kilometre circuit in the Ardennes is the longest on the WTCC
calendar and resembles a rollercoaster. On the long uphill sections,
engine power is paramount. The BMW drivers are able to draw on 275 bhp
generated by the P54 engine in the rear of their BMW 320i. However, in
Spa-Francorchamps more than anywhere else, the weight handicaps will
have a great impact on the performance of the cars. In 1921 the circuit
was inaugurated with a motorcycle race. Since 1950, Formula One has been
hosted by Spa-Francorchamps 38 times.

The European Touring Car Championship came to Belgium three times from
2002 to 2004. Four out of the six races were won by BMW drivers. Jörg
Müller (GER) alone climbed to the top of the podium twice for BMW Team
Deutschland, while Priaulx and the current championship leader Dirk
Müller (GER), who is also racing for BMW Team Deutschland, claimed
victory here as well. Arguably the most famous section of the circuit is
Eau Rouge, a left-right combination through a dip that still rates as a
heart-stopping turn.

Bart Mampaey, team manager of BMW Team UK, is the only Belgian
represented in the WTCC. Under his leadership, the RBM Team based in
Mechelen is fielding the BMW 320i driven by Priaulx. "For me Spa is of
course a very special event," says Mampaey. "The circuit is undoubtedly
one of the most attractive in the world. In 2003 Andy managed to
celebrate victory there. It would be great to have a repeat performance
this year. However, the weather in Spa is always unpredictable. Let's
wait and see."

Ahead of the races on the Belgian track in its natural setting,
the competition in the WTCC rankings is tighter than ever. Behind
Dirk Müller, who leads with 47 points, are several drivers who can
justifiably nurture hopes for the first World Championship title in
touring car racing since 1987. Priaulx is in third place with 42 points
and Garcia is three points adrift of him in fourth. Alessandro Zanardi
(ITA) of BMW Team Italy- Spain currently has six points, placing him
13th.

In the Manufacturers' Championship, BMW and Alfa Romeo are joint leaders
with 129 points each. SEAT is in third place with 98 points.